Neighbourhood planning is one of a number of initiatives highlighted by a new report from the Department for Communities and Local Government which sets out measures for transforming run-down shopping streets into decent areas. New research shows that local shopping parades – traditionally a neighbourhood preserve of convenience shops, greengrocers, newsagents and cafés – are crucial to the economy. The … Read More
Why do we need more new homes?
England’s chronic home shortage is well publicised. In order to provide more building land, the Government is releasing its own land for development. But why does Britain need more homes? Some reasons are listed below:- Single Occupation In past years, families would live under one roof, grandparents through to grandchildren. Now there is a trend towards single occupation caused by divorce … Read More
Community Right to Build Funding
Funding of £17m is available for communities to use their new Right to Build. The cash will help local people get their building projects off the drawing board – with an ‘early bird bonus’ for those that move quickly and get plans in early. And a new support hub is offering help and advice. Under the new Community Right to Build, … Read More
Convicted under Fraud Act 2006
Ref: Westminster CC v Herminio Nascimento Herminio Nascimento, the 42 year old former tenant of a two bed property on the Westbourne Park Estate in Westminster was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and £7,100 legal costs in March this year. The case marks a landmark in the Fraud Act 2006 Herminio illegally subletted the property without the consent of … Read More
More land for Housing
The Government is planning to release enough previously-used public land and buildings to provide sites for over 100,000 new homes by 2015. Over two thirds of the housing is earmarked for surplus land and property from three sources: the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The government has also pledged that it … Read More
Commercial Energy Performance Certificates
What is a Commercial EPC? Since 1st October 2008 it has become law that you must obtain a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate, “EPC” if you sell or lease any commercial property. The EPC is a certificate that shows the energy performance of the property in question. The EPC is a document that calculates the amount of energy used by the … Read More
Land owners have one more tax to pay Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Local authorities in England and Wales are now able to impose a levy on most types of new development in their areas through the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010. (CIL) The levy can only be imposed on new buildings and extensions over 100 square metres of gross internal floor space. Liability for CIL The owner of land will be responsible … Read More
‘Beds in sheds’ move
The government has unveiled plans for a national taskforce to tackle the issue of “beds in sheds. They intend to find ways to close down thousands of sheds and outbuildings being rented out illegally to migrants, including some with no right to be in the UK.
Plans2extend
Plans 2 Extend offer a complete professional service including home measurement, Autocad Architectural designs, including a council submission. When you contact Plans 2 Extend for our professional planning or architectural services, we do everything from beginning to end. We take measurements, draw up plans, submit them to the Council and copy them for application – leaving you to sit back and … Read More
Supreme Court Refuses Appeal – Tens of Thousands Benefit from Solar Panel Subsidy Reinstatement
Legal action against the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) began back in November, when a group of solar companies acted together to enforce an injunction stopping the DECC from using 12 December as the cut-off date for existing FITs on the basis that it was “illegal, irrational and unreasonable”. The Government had earlier proposed to reduce Feed in … Read More